Fred Malek: It’s a jewel of a stadium. As a baseball fan and as a long-time Washingtonian, I feel in my heart that this stadium is one of the proudest accomplishments of our community. It’s a wonderful place to watch baseball. I will predict that one day soon the Washington Nationals will host the All-Star Game. Hopefully, also the World Series. Of course, the next step for the stadium will be giving it a permanent name. I doubt I’ll realize my lifelong dream of having a stadium called Fred Malek Field.

Q: How do you get to Nationals Park? Metro, Nats Express, or Valet parking?

Fred Malek: I drive and find what I can.

Q: What grade would you give the Lerner family as the new owners of the Washington Nationals?

Fred Malek: I’d give them an “A.” Of course, I wish I was on the winning team for the competition to own the Nationals. It was a pleasure to work with a visionary leader like Mayor Tony Williams and all the members of my Washington-based ball group team. That said, I am pleased that the team is in the hands of strong local owners like the Lerner family, with a solid team president like Stan Kasten. I’m also satisfied with the way the management team has kept salaries under control. Runaway salaries are a big issue in baseball today. The Washington Nationals are proof that you can have a team with a lot of heart and will to win, but with respectable salary levels. Not many teams can boast that. As far as individual players go, I think Ryan Zimmerman is someone they need to hold on to forever. They can build a future around that kid.

Q: What would you do differently if you ran the team?

Fred Malek: That’s easy: I’d mandate that Teddy win. If he doesn’t, I’d probably fire Abe, George, and Tom, and have Teddy just compete against the Geico Gekko.

Q: The Washington Post called you “one of Washington’s ultimate insiders.” If that’s the case, can’t you arrange for Teddy to win?

Fred Malek: I can do lots of things in politics, business, and philanthropy. But inspiring Teddy to greatness? That’s something even I can’t do.

Q: Do you think big-headed Teddy could have a chance as a write-in candidate in the 2008 general election?

Fred Malek: My guy is John McCain. And his guy is Teddy Roosevelt. So how about just putting big-headed Teddy on the ticket? I’d be for that, but first he has to show at least one victory. In politics and business alike, we don’t reward failure.

3 Responses

If Teddy could show success on the field, he should rest his Laurels. Recall that TR (the original) failed to score well for a Second Term. Pleases, please, never put Teddy up against the Gecko. Oh, the nightmares!